17 Classic Motorcycles From the Harley-Davidson Museum Grand Opening

Oct 1, 2009

Willie G. Davidson, the man behind Harley-Davidson design since 1963, was also the driving force on the company's museum advisory board.

MILWAUKEE — One hundred and five years after creating a legendary motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson has finally—finally—opened the doors to its much anticipated museum. And after spending the day at the grand opening this weekend, we can say it's been worth the very long wait.

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The $75 million, three-building complex, located on a 20-acre peninsula surrounded by canals and designed by Willie G. Davidson (the grandson of a Harley founder), was built on a former industrial site. Back in June 2006, the company broke ground with the spinning rear tire of a motorcycle instead of a shovel. The museum was deliberately designed to look like a factory, using steel beams totaling 1200 tons—with the world's largest bar-and-shield Harley-Davidson logo up top.

Davidson told PM that his architectural firm, Pentagram, cycled through four or five attempts at a museum design while Harley quietly stored away one model of each motorcycle since 1915—and bought up models from 1903 to 1914 to complete the collection. "This building has to be timeless, because we are the timekeepers," Davidson said. "Our collection numbers about 450 bikes, but we have only about 140 on display. The bikes have to rotate to keep it interesting." Here, then, are some of our favorites from the opening display. —Jim McCraw

1907 Single

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Although Harley-Davidson is known for its large displacement 45-degree V-twin engines, they built a few "economy" models in the early days like this 1907 single-cylinder model.

1923 8-Valve Racer

Harley-Davidson was serious about unseating rival Indian at the races. The factory racing bikes pioneered all kinds of new technologies. This 1923 race bike used four valves per cylinder, and two camshafts to actuate them. This racer cost $1500 in 1923 and was campaigned by British rider Fred Dixon.

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1925 Scooped-Tank V-Twin

Taking some design cues from its flat-track racing bikes, the company started to streamline and lower the profiles of its street V-twins by the mid-twenties. This 1925 model had a special scooped-out fuel tank to clear pushrods and rocker arms for its overhead-valve engine.

1936 EL Twin

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Regarded by company historians as the first truly modern Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the 1936 EL V-twin had front and rear brakes, foot clutch, tank shift and suspension built into the seat. And it's all built around a flathead engine. Note the belt drive and natty two-tone paint job.

Buell XB-12R

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Some 25 years ago, Erik Buell started building customized versions of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and eventually the company bought him out and made Buell a division of H-D. Buell was charged with advancing engineering and design. The 1200 cc Buell XB-12R Firebolt was introduced in 2004.

Early Sportster

An outgrowth of the earlier KH and performance-oriented KHK models with flathead engines, the Sportster came along in 1957 as an alternative to the British 650 and 750 machines, packing an 883 cc V-twin engine, light weight and a short wheelbase for crisper handling. And 51 years later, the Sportster line is still a strong seller for Harley.

Electra-Glide

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The 1978 Electra-Glide was the first big Harley to have electric starting and electronic ignition for its 80-cu.-in. engine. The Electra-Glide has become the prototypical full-dresser Harley, with windshield, dual saddle, saddlebags and lots of chrome.

Elvis Presley's KH

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This is the actual Harley-Davidson KH model from 1956 that Elvis Presley bought just before the release of "Heartbreak Hotel." The museum has the original sale documentation that goes with the machine. Elvis had a number of big Harleys after this one.

Engine Wall

On the second floor of the museum is the Engine Wall anchored by vintage Harleys on each end. There, you can note the subtleties of the Flathead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, opposed-twin, Evolution, and many others. Each can be started and revved through the interactive display system. Cool stuff.

King Kong

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Downstairs in the late-model display is this King Kong Harley. This one-of-a-kind custom has—are you ready—two complete engines and transmissions, four pipes, two saddles and two sets of handlebars. Built by customizer Felix Predko, it's over 13 ft. long from end to end.

1981 Nova Prototype

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At the very end of the AMF era, this Nova Prototype was constructed, with an overhead-cam V4 liquid-cooled engine and the full sport touring package. Some experts believe that a production investment in this machine could have sunk the company. Executives bought the company back from AMF the following year.

Rhinestone Glide

Affectionately referred to by the museum staff as the Rhinestone-Glide, this is believed to be the most highly decorated custom Harley in existence. There are thousands of rivets, studs, reflectors and lights from end to end. And yet, it still has the stock 12-volt electrical system.

V-Rod

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The VRSCA, or V-Rod, introduced in 2001, is the first fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, overhead-cam 60-degree Harley V-twin. And it was an engineering collaboration between Harley and Porsche Engineering. It was quicker and faster than any previous Harley.

VR-1000 Racer

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While Harleys have been raced since the beginning on board tracks, dirt tracks and paved ovals, the factory didn't get into the AMA SuperBike races until this VR-1000. The race bike was fielded with little success and was another Porsche collaboration.

World's Oldest Harley

The world's oldest Hog is in fact the only motorcycle in the museum completely encased in glass. Rightfully so. Many parts are indeed stamped with serial number 001. The bike sits in a display that represents the first Harley-Davidson workshop built in Milwaukee in 1903.

WWII Army Bike

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During the war, almost all Harley production was for military use, and the museum proudly shows off three of its WLA models as well as this courier bike, a Navy Shore Patrol bike, and a desert-fighting prototype. Displays also feature three-wheeled special-duty bikes, police and postal bikes.

1977 XLCR Cafe Racer

In the 1960s, British riders created the cafe racer, a customized, stripped-down machine that was designed simply to go from cafe to cafe as quickly as possible. Harley invented the first production cafe racer in 1977. This model is highly sought after by collectors for its all-black design, joined exhaust pipes, and coffin-style tank.

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